Burtz House, Historic building near Senate Square, Helsinki, Finland
The Burtz House is a building in Helsinki located near Senate Square, constructed in the Empire style that dominated the administrative district. It features stone walls and tall windows characteristic of that architectural period.
The house was built in 1762 and originally served as a residence for Nils Burtz, an influential magistrate and merchant. Later, from the late 1800s onward, it housed the police for many decades.
The building stands as part of the Lion Block, showing how Helsinki took shape as a city in its early decades. The people who lived and worked here helped shape the character of the administrative quarter.
The building is located at Senate Square and is best accessed on foot while exploring the administrative quarter. It is visible from the street, so you can appreciate the architecture without special arrangements.
The building housed the city police headquarters for over a century, playing an important role in Helsinki's development as a modern city. This long use as an administrative center is often overlooked in favor of its original purpose as a private residence.
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